… Survey after survey shows that Americans see the current economy in a very negative light. I wrote a post a week ago trying to think about why Americans might be so upset about the economy, when indicators like unemployment, wages, and inflation have all turned up in the last […] Read more »
For 2024 GOP field, it’s time for Reagan’s ‘Eleventh Commandment’
It seems like a lifetime ago when remembering Ronald Reagan’s embrace in the 1960s of what came to be known as the “Eleventh Commandment.” Meant to limit intraparty fire, the maxim went like this: “Thou shalt not speak ill of another Republican.” … Today, Reagan’s commandment seems much like a […] Read more »
Democrats, Speak to Working-Class Discontent
… Today, the Democrats’ working-class problem isn’t limited to white workers. The party is also losing support from working-class Blacks and Hispanics—a daunting 12 points off their margin since 2016, according to Ruy Teixeira. Even before last November’s election, commentators and analysts were pointing to the erosion of Democrats’ working-class […] Read more »
Grievance is no substitute for ideas
About a year ago, an impartial friend well-versed in the art of politics asked me a tough question, “What has happened to the Republican Party?” he said. “You used to be the party of optimism. Now, you seem to be the party of grievance.” Having spent decades opposing the Democratic […] Read more »
Republicans view Reagan, Trump as best recent presidents
When asked to name the president who has done the best job over the past 40 years, a majority of Democrats name Barack Obama. Republicans, by contrast, are divided between a president who served in the 1980s – Ronald Reagan – and the one who left office this year, Donald […] Read more »
Donald Trump still captures our attention, but he’s losing the culture wars
… Media preoccupation does not signify historical consequence, and despite the breathless attention we lavish on him now, it’s wholly possible that future historians may view Trump less as a major force in our nation’s narrative and more as a sidebar whose disruption, nativism and anti-democratic impulses distracted us from […] Read more »